Dot Rambo of Electronic Weapons: Weapons of Mass Musical Influence

24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.

Dot Rambo: What up world, I am “Dot Rambo”, known as “itstheDot,” rap‐action commando, emcee/producer and member of “Electronic Weapons”. EW consists of myself, DJ “HotDam” and drummer/producer “Sin’cere.

24:Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about how you got into and what inspired you?

Dot Rambo: I got inspired early on, so the music and culture of the 80s/90s became a big part of my and our foundation. I used to break‐dance, and was one of the top in this city, traveling with the “Mpls BodyBreakers”, then that naturally progressed into the music, rhyming and production. “xgovernment” was a group I started back in the day. [I] made a lot of noise with that, which was inspired by that real boom bap music like T la Rock, Ultramagnetic, of course Run DMC, Public Enemy, X‐clan, EPMD and so on. Hip‐Hop has always been in EW’s life. I can speak for Hotdam and Sin’cere when I say, ‘Hip‐Hop culture raised us to be the type of men of honor we are today… defenders of the art‐form.’

24: What was the Hip-Hop scene like for you growing up where you’re from?

Dot Rambo: I remember we had our little block parties, Hip‐Hop spots, and radio shows in Minneapolis, MN. See, I’m from the North side, so the 80’s and early 90’s were like the Bronx mixed with the west coast in certain ways. Local pioneers such as Derrick Delite, Smoke D, DJ D and Travitron, just to name drop a few, who were from New York, brought their flavor to the city like ‘Boom this is how you do it’. [laughing] Then you had transplants and homegrown artist like myself, Disco T, DJ Cowboy, IRM, XGOVT, and Micronauts grinding thru the 90s. Others include School of Thought, Rhymesayers, Dan Speak, Rockit T, DJ Hotdam, Sin’cere, and Raw Villa. Back then though, 87’ thru 89’, hip‐hop was so new the gang members used to try and beat down the b‐boy’s and emcee’s. It was crazy because we were rockin’ fly gear, wearing our hats turned to the side, gold chains and shit, and they took that like we wanted to bang or were in a gang. We just wanted to dance, rap, DJ, graffiti and get knowledge. We used to joke with them like haven’t you seen the movie Krush Groovin’, Beat Street, Wildstyle hell even Breakin’ 1 & 2..funny, [laughing] Epic fail back then. Twin Cities had the coolest b‐boy and b‐girl scene, and still do to an extent. You know, Minneapolis, MN has always been
a talented, rich city and EW is definitely proud to follow the tradition. Shout out to Mcity… Minneapolis Stand Up! Yezzzirrrr. [laughing].

24: What makes you Unique as an artist and different from other rappers out now?

Dot Rambo: Well, there are a couple degrees of separation between myself, as an emcee/rapper and us, as a band compared to other current rappers and groups. I think the main difference is, as a rapper/emcee, I’m aggressively going against the status quo and challenging that lifestyle of mediocre lyricism. My thing is, if you’re not into this art‐form to flip those words, story tell, drop knowledge or make a statement with spectacular flow, then you need to fall back. I’m just not down with lazy‐ass rhyming and half‐ass freestyln’ shit trying to pass for songs or skill, [laughing] but that’s just me. I’m just drawing a line between myself and most rappers. Being a band, myself, Hot and Sin, as “Electronic Weapons” is something beautiful to hear and see. What puts us in a new shoe box is that we’re bringing a certain live element, you know. My partner “Sin’cere” is on the electronic full drum kit, and my other partner “Hotdam” is on the turntable serato hook up, then you put the icing on top with myself “Dot” rap‐action on the microphone. . . You got yourself some c4 audio ready to blow. Seriously we are EW.

24: Tell us about what you are working on.

Dot Rambo: Right now we are finishing up our album “MegaNova,” for digital release in January 2012. We’ve got our “etronix” super‐single out now on itunes and other digital networks which contain “Boom Box” x “Shake Bounce” and “Front Hard”. Our videos are up on youtube.com/electronicweapons, plus we are currently gearing up to hit the road for shows and touring on a grass root level.

24: What producers have you worked with and who would you like to work with in the future ?

Dot Rambo: Everything has been in‐house with myself and Sin’cere producing. We have alot ofup and coming beat‐makers around us submitting tracks as well. EW would love towork with DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Black Milk, illMind, Araabmuzik, Questlove just to name a few. It would be an honor to touch hands with some the greats in the game.

24: Are you happy with the feedback you have been getting from people on material you have released?

Dot Rambo: Feedback has been great, very positive and constructive. The majority of the response has been people like our authentic hip‐hop feel and sound. We take the good with the bad. Feedback or comments, please hit us on facebook at http://listn.to/electronicweapons
24: In today’s free download age, what do you need that you don’t have to make yourself a household name?

Dot Rambo: Excellent question. First right off top, I feel opportunities like this interview, on quality sites like 24hourhiphop.com, is the first step. You know, seeking and seizing those types of placements to be seen and heard are valuable in this market. Makin sure our music and media content are quality first, whether it’s a free download or paid, is vital. I think it’s important to put effort into getting featured on quality hip‐hop blogs and networks throughout the web. Grinding the circuit on the road, mastering our live shows, and securing traditional and non‐traditional radio buzz is an essential part of what we need to create a household name. The internet is a beautiful beast, you know, [laughing]. If we can find that right filter or outlet that delivers our music in front of the people/fans, that edge, should at least give us volume to be heard above the static.

24: How do you feel about the current state of the Hip‐Hop scene?

Dot Rambo: Loving it; it has its up and downs, like with all genres. We usually support what we like, and what we don’t like, we pay no attention to. There’s definitely a shit load of things in the game we can do without [laughing], but we love the whole Duck Down movement, big fan of that right now. Artists such as Jay Electronica, Slaughterhouse, The Roots, Kendric Lamar, and Little Brother all the way down to Ludacris, Redman, Busta Rhymes, Sean Price, and MOP are the types of rappers and groups we get excited about. We feel the current state of hip‐hop is cluttered and over saturated with half‐ass attempts for fame. Too many rappers, if that’s what were calling them [laughing], are not perfecting the craft, but merely mimicking what they like. We’re just saying there are a lot of zombies in the game affected by the t‐virus. ‘I guess that’s why we’re on the job.’

24: Outside of the music, what else are you currently working on?

Dot Rambo: Honestly, everything is about the music. Our only outside to music right now are day jobs, straight up everyday bullshit hustles to pay these bills [laughing]. You know, I mean this music shit is therapeutic, definitely helps with the outside stress of everyday life. Without the music, man we would probably be lost. You might catch us running up in First National with the bangoogle bag, mask and gun looking retarded [laughing]

24: Where do you see yourself going in 2012 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artists out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?

Dot Rambo: Definitely we see ourselves moving ahead, discovering new territory and creating a major awareness to get our name, music and movement out there. We’re also planning to get our meet and greet on with the people, connecting with DJ’s as well will be important for 2012. Separating ourselves from other artists will be easy for us, because we feel very confident that we bring a new, unique level of sound and excitement to our hip‐hop music. Most importantly, we have our own lane to cruise in, you know, we’re out here paving our own road. One way or another EW’s coming through the doors. We are just going to put the tiger claws to the game and dig in.

24: How can fans go about contacting you?

Dot Rambo: Booking and general info request, reach us via email info@electronicweapons.net official web‐site www.electronicweapons.net Follow us @eWeapons Friend, fan, like us on facebook.com/electronicweapons.

24:Thank you for providing 24hourhiphop with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?

Dot Rambo: Thank you, much respect for the opportunity to tell our story. It’s greatly appreciated; we are very excited to be on 24hourhiphop.com. All the fans and supporters, if you’re looking for that ultra, new hip‐hop, look no further, you just found us EW. ElectronicWeapons.net. We do our own stunts!
MegaNova album January 2012.